World Homelessness Day

Celebrated for the first time on October 10, 2010, the main aim of this Day is to highlight the needs of homeless people, and to raise awareness among the public and authorities of the importance of combating homelessness, which has negative impacts on society as a whole.

At a time when the housing crisis is having a greater impact on our communities, we want to create a real mobilization to counter the various factors at the root of homelessness: poverty, various housing-related phenomena such as renoviction, soaring costs, tenant selection criteria, not to mention mental health and drug use problems, etc. We’re also looking for ways to improve the quality of life of our residents.

World Homelessness Day was created by people working to combat homelessness on every continent except Antarctica, inviting individuals to take concrete action, each in their own way.

Whether it’s opening up to the realities of people experiencing homelessness, making those around you aware of their difficulties, taking an interest in local issues, taking part in organizations’ fundraising campaigns, providing concrete help, thanking volunteers or any other action likely to prompt the authorities to take action.

Although statistics remain imprecise, due to differing methods of calculation, the phenomenon of homelessness is experiencing an unprecedented increase in many parts of the world. In some cases, the increase is over 40%.

Aware of the problem of homelessness for a very long time, the non-governmental organization (NGO) UNANIMA International has been studying the phenomenon. It has produced several reports, which can be found on its website in the publications section:

• Hidden faces of homelessness—volume 1 and volume 2
• The intersections of family homelessness and human trafficking
• Family homelessness through the prism of the 2030 Agenda Volume I and 2

The organization has also responded to the call from the UN Special Rapporteur on Modern Slavery by submitting a proposal outlining the links between homelessness and human trafficking.

Quebec report

The Old Brewery Mission, one of the organizations working with the homeless in Quebec, points to the existence of a report dealing specifically with the prevention of homelessness among people in the justice system. The report is the result of research carried out by the Collectif québécois pour la prévention de l’itinérance (CQPI).

Nuit des sans-abri – October 18

Since 1989, Nuit des sans-abri has been held on the third Friday in October. The homelessness awareness event is a show of support for all those living in precarious situations. The aim is to give these people a voice, forge links, break down isolation and deconstruct assumptions. Numerous activities are being organized in several regions of Quebec, notably in Montreal and Longueuil (in French only).

This initiative is the brainchild of a group of organizations working with people experiencing homelessness.